The Journalistic Tone

Journalistic tone.  What is meant by journalistic tone?

Well, it's the type of writing that a journalist would tend to use.  You see, a lot of the time, a journalists don't have a lot of space to squeeze their articles in.   The editor might say he has only three inches or ten inches or twenty inches of newspaper space for the writer.  Journalists might also be working on a deadline.

For these reasons, and a few others, journalists need to write incisively.

Their writing must be lean and efficient.

They must use precise language.

They must be dramatic but truthful.

That's what we discussed today, and I have to say period one, as a class, really hit it out of the park. Tremendous job nailing the journalistic tone in your writing. Look back on yesterday's blog for another view of the difference between a narrative tone and a journalistic tone.

We also stressed the importance of using third person and incorporating quotes from people involved with the story.  I want to know what happened, but I'm also interested in what people who were involved in the incident saw or felt or said.

By now you should have about four pages of news story writing in your writer's notebook.  By the time I see you on Tuesday, you should have added at least one more page of writing to your total.  This weekend I want you to find one more drama.  Feel free to find more but find at least one.   I want you to observe the drama, write about the 5 Ws and then elaborate on the story for at least one page.  You should have a lot to work with by next Tuesday.

One last thing we touched on in a few classes: social significance.  When you are looking for your dramas, I want you to be thinking about the social significance of your selection.  How many people will this story influence?   How many people will be interested in your story? What effect will this story have on people?  The higher the rate of social significance, the more likely your story will be published.

Enjoy the weekend.

Until next time...